The Tender Words of God: A Daily Guide [Paperback]

Ann Spangler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2008

This unique devotional is the result of a personal quest. In order to let the truth sink in---that God is love---Ann Spangler began hunting through the Bible for the words that every person longs to hear---words of peace, protection, and mercy. Realizing her tendency to absorb the harsher words of the Bible more easily than its encouraging words, she devoted several months to reading and reflecting only on God's tender words. The result is a series of morning and evening readings designed to cut away our unbelief so that we can hear the truth about love from God himself. Each week contains morning and evening readings, enough for ninety days--- passages to soak in and call to mind when one is tempted to doubt. While the core of the book is Scripture, each reading is framed with personal reflections related to the week's theme, making this devotional read equally well as a thought-provoking message for those who want to know God better.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'If Jesus came to show us what God is really like, why doesn't learning about His life make us spend more time dancing in the street, hugging children, and feeding the poor? Finally---Ann Spangler has given focus to the positive Words of life that, if we let them, will change everything.' -- Gloria Gaither <br><br>

About the Author

Ann Spangler is an award-winning writer and the author of many bestselling books, including Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus, and Women of the Bible (with Jean Syswerda). Her most recent books are The Tender Words of God and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus (with Lois Tverberg.) She and her two daughters live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. SPANISH BIO: Ann Spangler, autora con galardones en su haber cuya fascinacion con la Biblia ha producido libros que han introducido esta a una amplia gama de lectores, es la autora de varios libros que han sido exitos de ventas, incluyendo Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus y Mujeres de la Biblia (de la que es co-autora Jean Syswerda). En conjunto, se han vendido mas de 2 millones de ejemplares de sus libros. Ha ocupado puestos ejecutivos importantes en dos casas editoras cristianas y en la actualidad reside con sus dos hijas en Grand Rapids, Michigan..

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310267161
• ISBN-13: 978-0310267164
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ann Spangler likens herself to the proverbial canary in the coal mine. Her sensitivity to the ever-changing spiritual and cultural climate in which we live has enabled her to address themes of profound interest to many readers. Praised for the freshness, depth, and honesty of her writing, Ann writes in ways that reveal not just her intellectual curiosity but her desire for a deeper connection with God. An award-winning writer, Ann published her first book in 1994. It became an instant best-seller. Since then she has followed up with several best-selling books, including Women of the Bible (co-authored with Jean Syswerda), Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus, and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus (co-authored with Lois Tverberg). Her books have sold over 2.5 million copies.

By paying attention to the spiritual and emotional hungers that animate us and by finding creative ways to explore God's self-revelation in Scripture, her writing surprises by revealing a God who is often far bigger and better than we might imagine.

In addition to writing, Ann has enjoyed a lengthy career in Christian publishing, working for William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Servant Publications, and Zondervan Publishing in marketing, editorial, and management roles. Her broad experience in publishing has convinced her that readers are looking for well-written books that explore the connection between spiritual experience and everyday life, books that engage the mind and strengthen the heart.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's As If Ann Spangler Had Read From My Heart, March 2, 2009

By 

Holly Fox Vellekoop, Author, "Justice and... (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tender Words of God: A Daily Guide (Paperback)

Reading Spangler's personal thoughts which are peppered through this book, I felt as if she had read the words right from my own heart. Spangler speaks of the difficulty she had in believing God's love for her because of the temporal lives that we must lead. I, too, have struggled with such difficulties as do many Christians. "The Tender Words of God" speaks to all of our personal stories. The Bible verses cited are encouraging and written in an easy-to-understand version while retaining the true meaning. Each morning and evening, the book gives us a reading with a theme and the relative Bible verses, concluding with a prayer. The 13 chapters are divided into God's words of Compassion, Forgiveness, Peace, Strength, and so on. Who amongst us does not need to hear such words from our God? Included within the pages are the author's personal, relevant stories of faith, love, and need, and also explanations of particular Hebrew words. Upon completing and praying over each reading, I felt encouraged, uplifted and hopeful - feelings that I believe that God intends for us all. This book enables us to access the power of God's love to heal our spirits.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent devotional, August 11, 2009

By 

Debbie (Harrison, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Tender Words of God: A Daily Guide (Paperback)

"The Tender Words of God" is a God-focused and Scripture-focused devotional. It takes a Hebrew word each week, looks at what it means, then looks at verses that use that word(s) and what it means for us. (The words are compassion, forgiveness, peace, strength, protection, love & mercy, blessing & provision, guidance, faithfulness, hope & comfort, healing). The author also has a small section on how studying that week's word impacted her life and her view of God.

I bought this book for a male friend who thought God viewed him harshly, but I enjoyed reading it. It has some very good insights. The friend I got this for thanked me and said it helped him get a right view of God. So I'd highly recommend this devotional to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting.

Review by Debbie from ChristFocus Book Club

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An anointed book, August 28, 2010

By 

Reader Mom "cakebaker21" (Annandale, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tender Words of God: A Daily Guide (Paperback)

In Christian circles there's a lot of "Christianese" jargon; saying that something is "anointed" is one example. But that's the only way I can describe Ann Spangler's book, "The Tender Words of God." It clearly has God's finger upon it, certainly for me. Every entry came charging into my messy life at just the right moment and rescued me from despair, like Jesus himself on the white horse called "Faithful and True" (Rev. 19:11). I'm so grateful to my dear sister for giving me this book, and in turn I'm giving it to some of my friends who need these tender words from God applied directly to their broken hearts. "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33) This book is evidence that God knows EXACTLY what's happening in your frustrating life and loves you dearly, no matter what your circumstances are. Highly recommended.